If you follow me on any kind of social media, you’ll have noticed by outrage of excitement as I announced that I’ve booked flights to Orlando in just three weeks! My best friend has been working at Disney World for almost a year so it was about time that I unwillingly dragged myself onto a plane to go and visit her… I MEAN TRY AND STOP ME.
So whilst I roll around my flat in joy and anticipation of a week in the happiest place on Earth, I thought I’d share my favourite pictures from my last visit to the magical world of Disney.
Okay okay! My hands are up. I’m confessing. You’ve got me.
My name’s Eppie and I’m a Disnaholic*
*a person who is wholly obsessed by the world created by Walt Disney
I can try and explain why… I obviously grew up watching all the films, thinking I was Belle, obsessing over Ariel’s hair and hoping one day that I’d find myself a man as perfect as Eric who would want to wander around beaches with me and our sheepdog (I did btw – sheepdog pending).
Yes sunsets and safaris melt my heart but the happiness I feel in Mickey’s home town is not like much else. In fact upon reflection, almost every memory in my life that stands out as feeling overwhelmingly incredible, I’ve compared to Disney… looking down from ‘pride rock’ over a watering hole in Kenya, seeing the mountains of Banff for the first time, crying at Matilda the Musical. In each of these moments as I stood in awe, the only words I could muffle through my held back tears were… ‘Oh my god it’s like Disney magic!’
I finally got to visit Disney World when I was 11 years old. And it was the best two weeks of my young life.
I’d entered a place like no other. Everyone smiled at me. The people in the shops wanted to high five me and wished me a magical day. The air was clean, with a hint of fresh candy floss.
My most prominent memories of that holiday were screaming with joy on my first ever loop roller coaster, crying in amazement at an incredible water projection show, feeling the bugs crawl under my seat in Bugs Life 4D and being bedazzled by the fact that Mickey’s house grew mouse shaped tomatoes.
I went on to work for the main mouse during my internship which only instilled by obsession as I was surrounded by people who shared my love for Disney’s creations. I’d greet Mickey like an old friend whenever he popped his head into the office and my desk was covered in merchandise – wasn’t this normal?
It was a year like no other. My role in the charitable department meant that I personally got to bring joy to the kids who were raising money or the patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Their little faces when one of our characterful friends surprised them with a visit were priceless. It ignited my respect and admiration for Walt Disney, his legacy was bringing hope and joy to children who really truly needed it.
That year I also visited Disneyland Paris with my then 6 year old sister. Paris isn’t like America, the staff aren’t quite so full of cheer and the park itself might need a fresh coat of paint in some areas, but it was the perfect introduction for a little girl who shared her older sister’s adoration.
It was the first time I became introduced to the best ride in the world – the Tower of Terror. I wept as Elsie met her hero, Snow White, and jumped with glee as she jumped around with Tigger.
Two years later and I was a graduate. With a scrapbook to fill of worldwide memories like Ellie in Up, I headed on a 5 week sprint to America with my besties. Stopping off in LA for a week, we couldn’t resist an all-girls trip to Disneyland California.
Posing with the Queen of resting bitch face herself!
When I think back over those 3 days I can’t help but grin. Prancing around the park in our Disney tops, we were 10 years old again. Armed with Minnie ears and Disney dollars we spent over 15 hours a day in those parks, waking up to Disney alarms, dancing around with almost every character, watching every show at least twice and eating triple fried cheesy cake gooeyness for dinner because no one is an adult in Disney.
I cried more than Elsa when Anna gets frozen on that trip. When Main Street lit up in animations and the Castle was surrounded by fireworks, I stood there and sobbed. And then it snowed. In June. Oh Disney.
So yes I realise that I’m not 12 years old and maybe I should spend my hard earned dollars on exploring the outback of Australia. But Disney isn’t just a place I can go to and be a child eating waffles, it’s a land of a lifetime of memories and a reminder of so many moments of uninterrupted happiness. It’s the place where you can’t be disappointed, you can escape from the stressful, political world that we live in and just be surrounded by happy, fun individuals who remind you of how free you felt when you were little.
Plus twirling around with princesses is way more fun than twirling on my office chair and I mean, who doesn’t love a Mickey pretzel?
If you fancy some over the top grins and Disney magic, you can watch my mini-vlog about my time is Disneyland California below.
Now my life is filled with Disney magic. Allyn shares my adoration for talking candlesticks and singing bears, working as an animator on some of the mouse’s biggest blockbusters (which only makes that spine-tingling castle opening music that bit more special).
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I74X__y7A0U[/embedyt]Goofy, I’m coming for ya.
Pin for later!
You captured the magic of Disneyland so beautifully! And the food looks so yummy too. I live fairly close to here so I feel very lucky to be able to go quite often. Lovely post, thanks for sharing!
I love this post! I could feel your excitement through your words, and I’m so happy you’ll be going back to your happy place. I’m a big kid myself, so I really enjoy Disney parks too. I hope you have a great time!!
Author
Thanks so much 🙂 Really glad you loved the post x
I will totally bookmark this for my friends who have kids and are Disneyholics like you are. You’re photos are so fun and really convey your excitement and enthusiasm.
Author
Thanks Penny, hope they like it 🙂
OMG! This is contagious! Haha! The closest I’ve been to a Disneyland is in Hong Kong when I went to the front entrance just to take a photo before heading to the airport for my flight out of Hong Kong, haha! I have to make it a point to visit it properly at least once, whether in HK or Tokyo one day! I understand they also have a Disney Sea in Tokyo. That should be interesting too!
Author
Oh wow! I’ve never been to Disney Asia but would absolutely love to, its supposed to be amazing!
Last time we visited Disney was in 2000. But can you imagine we had to leave from the doors due to some family emergency and never went back until now? But enjoyed your post as pictures are awesome. Kids are grown ups now and they don’t want to go to a Disney attraction. Last time we discussed going to Disney, they said why don’t you give us the money you’re going to spend in Disney and we can buy something for us.
You look so overjoyed, must be contagious! Although the picture of the Mickey Mouse pretzels look slightly terrifying haha! Also, I don’t know what triple fried cheesy cake is but I know I want it. Being an adult is overrated 😉
Author
Haha agreed! The best bit about being an adult is being able to be a child again!
You really do have a great connection with Disney! I know what you mean about the Paris Disneyland. How great that you’ll get to return there soon
Author
I can’t wait!
I always love Disney too–that’s awesome you had an internship there! 🙂 It’s such a fun and happy place with a ton of good memories for me as well. I grew up visiting every year when we would visit my family and Florida. Then we ended up living a few hours south of Orlando for a few years, so there may have been quite a few Disney visits then too, lol! I haven’t been to any of the international parks yet though, only CA & FL, so I might have to do that sometime! Hope you have a great trip!
Author
Oh wow so lucky you got to go every year! I’d love to do that with my future family. Yeah I’d love to do some of Disney Asia. Thank you!
So good to see you are living your dreams. 🙂 The activities are so funfilled, I experienced the one in Paris.
My kids enjoyed it so much and I joined in some of their kid rides too. 😛 🙂
Author
Thank you! Haha you can’t help it am I right!
Keeping the chid-like wonder alive in you long after you have “grown up” is key to living a happy life. I hope you always feel the same way for Disney. And thanks for sharing. Your excitement is contagious.
Author
Thank you for the lovely comment! I completely agree 🙂
LOVE this post! I’m a Disnaholic too and would love to be eating waffles on Main Street right now! xx
Author
Thank you Ayushi! Oh that’s got me so excited… I’ll make sure to take a picture 😉 x
Aww you’re so cute!! I used to go to Disney World in Orlando every year for around 10 years. My grandparents live in Florida, so we’d stop at Disney World for a few days before seeing them. I haven’t been back in soooo long, but now you’ve made me so so so nostalgic!!
Author
Oh that’s amazing! What a great tradition. Hope you get to go again soon 🙂
Best trip ever! The busiest but best 3 days of my life!! So jealous you’re going to DisneyWorld! xx
Author
I rewatched the video and there was so much I’d forgotten about! x
You are so cute!! When I was in Kenya I spent the whole time playing Lion King songs! I can’t wait to go to Disney with my nephew!
Author
Oh my god Angie so glad it wasn’t just me haha! Oh you will have the best time ever, the look on his face will make your heart melt x